PAH 399 GTA(Val)→GTT(Val), a new silent mutation found in the Chinese

Summary A silent mutation or sequence polymorphism, an A to T substitution at codon 399 in exon 11 of the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene has been identified by DNA sequence analysis in the Chinese. The frequencies of this new mutation in normal and abnormal (phenylketonuria; PKU) genes are 0.005 and 0.09, respectively, based on the analyses of 100 apparently normal individuals and 39 PKU patients, as demonstrated by DNA amplification with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and oligonucleotide hybridization methods. The results suggest that there is linkage disequilibrium between this polymorphism and PKU mutations in the PAH gene; approximately 10% of defect PAH alleles in the Chinese population may be identified with this sequence polymorphic marker.     

Genetic relatedness among Trypanosoma evansi stocks by random amplification of polymorphic DNA and evaluation of a synapomorphic DNA fragment for species-specific diagnosis.

In this study we employed randomly amplified polymorphic DNA patterns to assess the genetic relatedness among 14 Brazilian Trypanosoma evansi stocks from domestic and wild hosts, which are known to differ in biological characteristics. These akinetoplastic stocks were compared with one another, to three Old World (Ethiopia, China and Philippines) dyskinetoplastic stocks of T. evansi, and also with Trypanosoma equiperdum, Trypanosoma brucei brucei, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analysis showed limited heterogeneity in T. evansi stocks from different hosts and geographical regions of the world, or in other species of the subgenus Trypanozoon. However, minor variations generated random amplification of polymorphic DNA analysis disclosed a pattern consisting of a unique synapomorphic DNA fragment (termed Te664) for the T. evansi cluster that was not detected in any other trypanosome species investigated. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis analysis demonstrated that the Te664 fragment is a repetitive sequence, dispersed in intermediate and minichromosomes of T. evansi. Based on this sequence, we developed a conventional PCR assay for the detection of T. evansi using crude preparations of blood collected either on glass slides or on filter paper as template DNA. Our results showed that this assay may be useful as a diagnostic tool for field-epidemiological studies of T. evansi.     

A minisatellite and a microsatellite polymorphism within 1.5 kb at the human muscle glycogen phosphorylase (PYGM) locus can be amplified by PCR and have combined informativeness of PIC 0.95.

We sequenced a genomic clone (pMCMP1), previously reported to detect a VNTR polymorphism at the PYGM locus, and found a dinucleotide repeat segment (CA)14(GA)25 and a complex (AT)-repeat-rich segment containing 63 repeats spanning 160 bp. Resolution of PCR-amplified genomic DNA from the (CA)(GA) repeat region on DNA sequencing gels revealed a highly informative polymorphism with alleles differing by 2-bp intervals and ranging in size from 156 to 190 bp. Among three racial groups, a total of 18 alleles were observed. Fourteen alleles were observed in Caucasians (PIC 0.89), 12 alleles in American Blacks (PIC 0.89), and 9 alleles in Pima Indians (PIC 0.73). PCR amplification of the (AT) repeat region and resolution of the products on DNA sequencing gels revealed a complex variable length polymorphism with alleles distributed in size from 367 to 970 bp. Twenty-eight alleles were found in American Blacks (PIC 0.94), 6 alleles in Pima Indians (PIC 0.70), and 11 alleles in Caucasians (PIC 0.71). Comparison of the previously described VNTR RFLP alleles visualized by Southern hybridization to the PCR products described in this report demonstrated that the polymorphism described in both assays was identical. However, a larger number of alleles could be detected from the PCR-amplified products. Combined informativeness, PIC 0.95, for the two polymorphisms was determined from haplotype analysis of 100 Caucasian chromosomes. Therefore, for genotyping purposes, informativeness is maximized from using both polymorphisms.     

Rapid diagnosis of Miller-Dieker syndrome and isolated lissencephaly sequence by the polymerase chain reaction

Summary Probe YNZ22 (D17S5) is a highly polymorphic, variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) marker previously shown to be deleted in all patients with the Miller-Dieker syndrome (MDS) but not in patients with isolated lissencephaly sequence (ILS). Primers were constructed to the unique sequence flanking the polymorphic, repetitive region of YNZ22 for amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Analysis of 118 normal individuals revealed 12 alleles (differing in copy number of a 70-bp repeat unit) ranging in size from 168 to 938 bp. A retrospective study of eight MDS and six ILS patients was consistent with Southern blot analysis in all cases except one. In the latter, a very large allele (12 copies of the repeat unit) in a patient and her mother failed to amplify on initial attempts, but was successfully amplified by reducing the concentration of genomic DNA used in the reaction. Prospective studies on two MDS and five ILS patients were successfully performed and confirmed in all cases by Southern blot analysis. From the total sample, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was fully informative in four of ten MDS patients and showed a deletion in all four cases. Nine of eleven ILS patients were heterozygous and therefore not deleted for YNZ22. Development of primers for additional polymorphic markers in the Miller-Dieker region will lead to a rapid PCR-based diagnostic approach for all MDS and ILS patients. PCR typing of YNZ22 will also facilitate use of this marker in other applications, including genetic linkage, paternity and forensic studies, and analysis of loss of heterozygosity in tumors.     

Characterization of a new repetitive sequence that is enriched on microchromosomes of turkey

We cloned and characterized a new highly repetitive, species-specific DNA sequence from turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). This repeat family, which accounts for approximately 5% of the turkey genome, consists of a 41 bp repeated element that is present in tandem arrays longer than 23 kb. In situ hybridization to turkey metaphase chromosomes (2n=80) demonstrated that this sequence was located primarily on certain microchromosomes: approximately one-third of the 66 microchromosomes showed a positive signal. With respect to the macrochromosomes, hybridization was seen only in a pericentric position on nos. 2 and 3. The turkey microchromosome (TM) sequence shares motifs (alternating A_3–5 and T_3–5 clusters separated by 6–8 bp) that have been found previously in other avian tandemly repeated elements, e.g. a chicken microchromosome sequence, and W (female) chromosome-specific sequences of chicken and turkey. However, the TM sequence does not cross-hybridize under moderately stringent conditions with these other sequence. The spread and amplification of related repetitive sequence elements on microchromosomes and W chromosomes is discussed.by E.R. Schmidt     

Suppression of randomly primed polymerase chain reaction products (random amplified polymorphic DNA) in heterozygous diploids

In a study of genetic polymorphism in the gypsy moth Lymantria dispar we observed the aberrant inheritance of a random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fragment designated H11-589. This fragment was present in amplification products of F1 progeny of different crosses although it was not amplified from either parental DNA. DNA-mixing experiments revealed that the presence of DNA containing a template for another product (H11-746), amplified with the same primer, suppressed the synthesis of H11-589. The templates for both RAPD products were highly repetitive and scattered throughout the L. dispar genome. Southern hybridization and sequence analysis of H11-746 and H11-589 revealed an extensive sequence homology and an internal repetitive motif of 17 nucleotides present in both products. Interactions between templates for H11-746 and H11-589 are expected to occur during the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), offering an explanation for the suppression of the amplification of H11-589. The role of the internal repetitive motif and of the copy number of both templates in the suppression effect are discussed. Our results corroborate doubts regarding the suitability of the RAPD technique for quantitative genetic analysis, in particular where mixed populations are concerned.     

A peculiar repetitive sequence in the rat genome

We report here a new type of peculiar repetitive sequence, A15T(TC)9T12, which was detected at 750 base pairs (bp) upstream of a rat calmodulin processed pseudogene by DNA sequencing of cloned DNA fragments. This sequence element could possibly form a cruciform structure with a 12-AT-pair stem, exposing (CT)9 sequences as a loop. S1 nuclease protection experiments failed to identify this element as a cruciform structure but instead detected an alternating purine pyrimidine tract at 50 bp downstream of this element. Total genomic Southern blotting showed that the rat genome contains only a few of these elements.     

Development of 11 EST-SSRs for Japanese white birch, Betula platyphylla var. japonica and their transferability to related species

Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were developed for Japanese white birch, Betula platyphylla var. japonica, using previously designed primer pairs derived from expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Out of 98 unpublished primer pairs, 35 yielded clear PCR amplification products, 11 of which revealed polymorphism in eight individuals sampled across the species’ range. The number of alleles detected and the expected heterozygosity ranged from 1 to 10 and 0.000 to 0.857, respectively, when these 11 loci were examined in 24 individuals from a single B. platyphylla var. japonica population. In cross-species transferability tests most of the 11 loci were also polymorphic in three other Betula species examined, but not B. maximowicziana. We have now developed a total of 25 polymorphic EST-SSRs for the genus Betula (including 14 we previously developed), which are likely to be highly useful in studies of various aspects of population genetics, including hybridization dynamics, in the genus.     

Identification of novel simple sequence length polymorphisms (SSLPs) in mouse by interspersed repetitive element (IRE)-PCR.

Interspersed repetitive element (IRE)-PCR is a useful method for identification of novel human or mouse sequence tagged sites (STSs) from contigs of genomic clones. We describe the use of IRE-PCR with mouse B1 repetitive element primers to generate novel, PCR amplifiable, simple sequence length polymorphisms (SSLPs) from yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) clones containing regions of mouse chromosomes 13 and 14. Forty-two IRE-PCR products were cloned and sequenced from eight YACs. Of these, 29 clones contained multiple simple sequence repeat units. PCR analysis with primers derived from unique sequences flanking the simple sequence repeat units in seven clones showed all to be polymorphic between various mouse strains. This novel approach to SSLP identification represents an efficient method for saturating a genomic interval with polymorphic genetic markers that may expedite the positional cloning of genes for traits and diseases.     

Assignment of a PCR-amplified chitinase sequence cloned from Trichoderma hamatum to resolved chromosomes of potential biocontrol species of Trichoderma

Abstract A 1424 bp DNA sequence containing the genetic determinants of the chitinase enzyme was identified in Trichoderma hamatum by PCR amplification. High levels of similarity were observed between this sequence, named Th-ch ( T. hamatum chitinase), and the 42 kDa chitinase genes known from T. harzianum . Chromosome-sized DNAs of five potential biocontrol species of Trichoderma were separated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The total number of chromosomes was six in all the species, with sizes ranging from 3.7 to 7.7 Mb; estimated genome sizes were between 30.5 and 35.8 Mb. When fractionated chromosomes of the five species were probed with radiolabelled Th-ch, strong hybridization signals developed in all cases, but the physical position of these signals varied among species indicating a polymorphic chromosomal location of the highly conserved 42 kDa chitinase gene within the genus Trichoderma .     

Construction of a DNA library from chromosome 4 of rice （Oryza sativa） by microdissection

A simple method to create a chromosome-specific DNA librqary of rice,including microdissection,amplification,charterization and cloning,is described.Rice chromosome 4 from a metaphase cell has been isolated and amplified by the Linker Adapter PCR (LA-PCR).The PCR products were labeled as probes with DIG-11-dUTP using the random priming method.Southern blot analysis with rice genomic DNA and specific RFLP markers demonstrated that the PCR products were derived from rice chromosome 4.A large library comprising over 100,000 recombinant plasmid microclones from rice chromosome 4 was constructed.Colony hybridization showed that 58% of the clones contained single or low-copy sequences and 42% contained repetitive sequences.The size of inserts generated by PCR ranged from 140bp to 500bp.This method will facilitate cloning of the specific chromosome DNA markers and important genes of rice.     

COMPARISON OF THREE PROBE LABELLING METHODS TO DETECT PCR AMPLIFICATION PRODUCTS

Polymerase chain reaction amplifications are finding increased applications in environmental microbiology. The development of sensitive and specific methods to detect amplified products is necessary especially when these amplifications are conducted in the presence of the environmental matrix. Gene probes specific to the npt11 locus were prepared by nick translation, 5'end labelling and by a PCR driven amplification. These probes were tested against a 300 bp PCR amplified segment of the npt11 region of the transposable element Tn5. The nick translated probe was the most sensitive, though not as specific as the other two types of probes. Sensitivity and specificity were found to be dependent on the hybridization format (Southern blots versus dot blots), the number of amplification cycles and on the purity of the target sequence.     

簇毛麦端体6VS的显微切割及其专化DNA序列的克隆和分析

从簇毛麦(Haynaldia villosa (L.) Schur.)组合CA9211/RW15(6D/6V异代换系)幼胚培养SC2后代中,用原位杂交方法鉴定出T240-6为6VS端体异代换系. 以此为材料,采用微细玻璃针切割法及"单管反应"技术体系,对6VS进行切割分离及LA (Linker adaptor)-PCR扩增.扩增带在100～3 000 bp 之间,大部分集中在600～1 500 bp.利用32P标记的簇毛麦基因组为探针进行Southern杂交,证实扩增产物来源于簇毛麦.扩增产物纯化后,连接到pGEM-T载体上,构建了6VS DNA质粒文库.对文库的分析表明,文库大约有17 000个白色克隆;插入片段分布在100～1 500 bp,平均600 bp.点杂交结果表明,37%克隆有中度到强烈的杂交信号,证明含有中度或高度重复序列;63%克隆有较弱的信号或没有信号,证明为单/低拷贝序列克隆.从文库中获得8个簇毛麦特异克隆,对其中两个克隆pHVMK22和 pHVMK134进行了RFLP分析和序列分析,并利用该探针对小麦抗白粉病基因Pm21进行了检测.RFLP 结果表明,两个克隆一个为低拷贝序列克隆(pHVMK22),另一个为高度重复序列克隆,均为簇毛麦专化DNA序列.以pHVMK22为探针对抗、感病小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)品系的Southern杂交发现抗病品系有一条2 kb的特征带, 该探针可能作为检测抗病基因Pm21的探针.     

Molecular characterization of Bacillus anthracis using multiplex PCR, ERIC-PCR and RAPD

AIMS: To investigate the molecular characterization of Bacillus anthracis strains by multiplex PCR, enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-PCR (ERIC-PCR) and random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD). METHODS AND RESULTS: Three primers were used to amplify the cya, cap and cereolysinAB genes in the multiplex PCR. Two distinct ERIC-PCR and RAPD fragments, which separated B. anthracis into two groups, were used as probes in Southern hybridization experiments. The probes hybridized only to the cya+ B. anthracis strains identified by the multiplex PCR. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the two cloned fragments showed they were from the pXO1 plasmid of B. anthracis. CONCLUSION: Multiplex PCR simultaneously identified isolates of the Bacillus cereus group and the B. anthracis virulence factors. ERIC-PCR and RAPD, combined with the Southern hybridization analyses, differentiated B. anthracis strains and separated them from the closely related B. cereus group bacteria. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: ERIC-PCR and RAPD assay could be effective in differentiating virulent from avirulent B. anthracis. Our results also show that the amplification of the large plasmids was allowed in the ERIC-PCR and RAPD assay.     

The human THE-LTR(O) and MstII interspersed repeats are subfamilies of a single widely distributed highly variable repeat family.

Fifteen examples of the transposon-like human element (THE) LTR and thirteen examples of the MstII interspersed repeat are aligned to generate new consensus sequences for these human repetitive elements. The consensus sequences of these elements are very similar, indicating that they compose subfamilies of a single human interspersed repetitive sequence family. Members of this highly polymorphic repeat family have been mapped to at least 11 chromosomes. Seven examples of the THE internal sequence are also aligned to generate a new consensus sequence for this element. Estimates of the abundance of this repetitive sequence family, derived from both hybridization analysis and frequency of occurrence in GenBank, indicate that THE-LTR/MstII sequences are present every 100-3000 kb in human DNA. The widespread occurrence of members of this family makes them useful landmarks, like Alu, L1, and (GT)n repeats, for physical and genetic mapping of human DNA.     

Exon-primed intron-crossing (EPIC) PCR markers of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Applying microsatellite DNA markers in population genetic studies of the pest moth Helicoverpa armigera is subject to numerous technical problems, such as the high frequency of null alleles, occurrence of size homoplasy, presence of multiple copies of flanking sequence in the genome and the lack of PCR amplification robustness between populations. To overcome these difficulties, we developed exon-primed intron-crossing (EPIC) nuclear DNA markers for H. armigera based on ribosomal protein (Rp) and the Dopa Decarboxylase (DDC) genes and sequenced alleles showing length polymorphisms. Allele length polymorphisms were usually from random indels (insertions or deletions) within introns, although variation of short dinucleotide DNA repeat units was also detected. Mapping crosses demonstrated Mendelian inheritance patterns for these EPIC markers and the absence of both null alleles and allele 'dropouts'. Three examples of allele size homoplasies due to indels were detected in EPIC markers RpL3, RpS6 and DDC, while sequencing of multiple individuals across 11 randomly selected alleles did not detect indel size homoplasies. The robustness of the EPIC-PCR markers was demonstrated by PCR amplification in the related species, H. zea, H. assulta and H. punctigera.     

Development of a CAPS marker system for genotyping European pear cultivars harboring 17 <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis> alleles

The full-length cDNAs of eight S ribonucleases (S-RNases) were cloned from stylar RNA of European pear cultivars that could not be characterized by the cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences (CAPS) marker system for genotyping European pear cultivars harboring nine S alleles Sa, Sb, Sd, Se, Sh, Sk, Sl, Sq, and Sr. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences between these cDNAs and six putative S-RNase alleles previously amplified by genomic PCR revealed that five corresponded to the putative Sc-, Si-, Sm-, Sn-, and Sp-RNase alleles and the other three corresponded new S-RNase alleles (designated as putative Sg-, Ss-, and St-RNase alleles). Genomic PCR with a new set of primers was used to amplify 17 S-RNase alleles: 1906 bp (Sg), 1642 bp (St), 1414 bp (Sl), ca. 1.3 kb (Sk and Sq), 998 bp (Se), 440 bp (Sb), and ca. 350 bp (Sa, Sc, Sd, Sh, Si, Sm, Sn, Sp, Sr, and Ss). Among them, S-RNase alleles of similar size were discriminated by digestion with 11 restriction endo-nucleases. The PCR amplification of 17 S-RNase alleles following digestion with the restriction endonucleases provided a new CAPS marker system for rapid S-genotyping of European pear cultivars harboring 17 S alleles. Using the CAPS analysis, Sc, Sg, Si, Sm, Sn, Sp, Ss, and St alleles were found in 32 cultivars, which were classified into 23 S-genotypes.     

A highly polymorphic region 3'' to the human type II collagen gene.

We have characterised a highly polymorphic region 1.3kb downstream of the human Type II collagen gene. It consists of a highly AT-rich tandem repetitive region (minisatellite) approximately 650bp long. Two alleles had been observed previously, differing in size by approximately 300bp. When this region was cloned from four unrelated individuals carrying the larger allele, DNA sequence data identified three alleles, suggesting far higher polymorphism than was originally supposed. This minisatellite was shown to be present in a single copy in the human genome, and to have arisen after the divergence of Old and New World monkeys.     

A Sequence-Tagged Site Map of Human Chromosome 11

We report the construction of 370 sequence-tagged sites (STSs) that are detectable by PCR amplification under sets of standardized conditions and that have been regionally mapped to human chromosome 11. DNA sequences were determined by sequencing directly from cosmid templates using primers complementary to T3 and T7 promoters present in the cloning vector. Oligonucleotide PCR primers were predicted by computer and tested using a battery of genomic DNAs. Cosmids were regionally localized on chromosome 11 by using fluorescence in situ hybridization or by analyzing a somatic cell hybrid panel. Additional STSs corresponding to known genes and markers on chromosome 11 were also produced under the same series of standardized conditions. The resulting STSs provide uniform coverage of chromosome 11 with an average spacing of 340 kb. The DNA sequence determined for use in STS production corresponds to about 0.1% (116 kb) of chromosome 11 and has been analyzed for the presence of repetitive sequences, similarities to known genes and motifs, and possible exons. Computer analysis of this sequence has identified and therefore mapped at least eight new genes on chromosome 11.